Cuts to services funded by Kirklees Council proved controversial when proposed.

But the public, it seems, will not oppose some of them.

Campaigns to save library services, the free town bus and music school were launched and continue before budgets are decided by councillors.

Now the results of the public consultation have revealed what people think Kirklees Council should – and shouldn’t – spend its cash on.

And it’s led to some surprising results.

Kirklees is proposing to cease funding the Huddersfield and Dewsbury free town bus service, which costs the council £198,000 a year.

When asked if the council should stop funding the free town bus 1,075 (42%) of people said it was a good idea; a further 588 (23%) said it was an ok idea; 255 were undecided; 333 (13%) were not keen and 298 (12%) were against the idea.

Of all the 18 budget options put forward, the bus cut was the fourth most supported idea, while ending free bus passes for pupils attending faith schools and changing the school transport policy to save £455,000 by 2016 was the second most supported idea.

The highest supported idea – with 71% of people in support – is to remove kiosk payment facilities from council buildings, with council tax, business rates and other bills paid by direct debit, online, by phone or at Post Offices to save £200,000.

The school, which offers lessons in brass, keyboard, percussion, string and woodwind instruments, currently receives £296,000 from the council.

The consultation revealed 634 (25%) agreed the council should stop funding the music service, 422 (17%) said it was an ok idea, a further 374 (15%) were undecided, with 437 (17%) not keen on the idea and 692 (27%) against it.

There was a small divide over council funding for food banks and white goods for people in crisis, with £1.3m a year currently spent on local welfare provision.

When asked if the council should stop welfare provision, 40% were in support, compared to 43% against, with the rest neither for nor against.

Kirklees is proposing the end funding for the Festival of Light, Huddersfield Carnival, Dewsbury on Sea, food and drink festivals, plus council contributions to community-organised events such as Marsden Jazz Festival and Cleckheaton Folk Festival could end to save the council £186,000 a year.

The least supported ideas were to reduce staffing in the Youth Offending team with 67% against; while 52% were against reductions in street cleaning and 45% against reducing subsidies for sport and physical activities.